Saanich permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, carport, or garage in Saanich?
In Saanich a new shed, garage or other accessory building over 10 m² (107 sq ft) needs a building permit. A smaller utility building that creates no hazard does not, but must meet zoning. A deck is applied for as an addition; no deck size or height threshold is stated.
Key facts
| Sheds | A new accessory building over 10 m² (107 sq ft) needs a building permit. One under 10 m² used for utility purposes that creates no hazard does not, but it must still meet zoning.Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, s. 3.3(b), 7.3(c); Permit Q&A; Residential Building Permit - New checklist, Checklist - New · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingan accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres in area that is used for utility Constructing or renovating an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres (107 square feet) that complies with zoning requirements and does not create a hazard Accessory building (more than 10 m2 or 107 ft2) |
|---|---|
| Decks | A deck is applied for as an Addition (the page says 'incl. deck'), and Saanich has a deck checklist. A patio or similar landscape structure needs no permit. No height or size threshold for decks is stated.Residential Permits; Deck checklist; Permit Q&A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAdding to an existing single-family or duplex dwelling, incl. deck. Residential Building Permit - Deck Constructing a trellis, arbour (no roof), patio, or other similar landscape structure |
| Garages and carports | Not named separately in the sources read. Any new building over 10 m² (107 sq ft) needs a building permit, and the New Build application covers accessory buildings.Permit Q&A; Residential Permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingYou need a building permit for all new buildings over 10 sq m (107 sq ft). New single-family dwelling, garden suite, accessory building, houseplex |
| Zoning limits | RS lots (some RS zones excluded): accessory buildings at least 7.5 m from the front lot line (15 m if over 2,000 m²), 1.5 m from rear and interior side lines, 3.5 m from exterior side line; max 3.75 m high, one storey; 1.2 m from the house. Total coverage 10% (under 1,330 m²), 7% (1,330 to 1,999 m²), 5% (2,000 m² and over). Other zones: see the zone schedule.Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200, s. 5.34; Zoning - Frequently Asked Questions | District of Saanich, Zoning FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording7.5 m (24.6 ft) from the front lot line or, for lots having an area exceeding 2000 m2 (21,528 ft2), 15 m (49.2 ft) from the front lot line. 1.5 m (4.9 ft) from a rear lot line or interior side lot line. 3.5 m (11.5 ft) from an exterior side lot line. Shall not exceed a maximum height of 3.75 m (12.3 ft). Shall not exceed a maximum of one storey. (i) 1.2 metres (4.0 ft) between walls or columns, and Shall not exceed the lot coverage requirements outlined in Table 5.3. 1330 m2 (14,316 ft2) – 1999 m2 (21,517 ft2) If you are RS zoned, refer to section 5.34 of the Zoning Bylaw For all other zones, refer to the applicable zone schedule. |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529; Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, title; https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf, Schedule 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUILDING BYLAW, 2019, NO. 9529 ZONING BYLAW, 2003, NO. 8200 |
How it works
Under the Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, a new accessory building over 10 m² (107 sq ft) needs a building permit. One under 10 m² used for utility purposes that creates no hazard does not, but it must still meet zoning.
Garages and carports are not named separately in the sources read. Any new building over 10 m² needs a permit, and the New Build application covers accessory buildings.
A deck is applied for as an Addition, and Saanich has a deck checklist. The District's pages state no height or size threshold for decks. A patio or similar landscape structure needs no permit. Ask Inspection Services about your deck.
Steps
- Check zoning limits for your lot (see below and the zoning-lookup answer).
- Apply online through MySaanich: New Build for an accessory building over 10 m², Addition for a deck.
- Pay the fees and book inspections.
Good to know
- On RS lots (some RS zones are excluded), accessory buildings must be at least 7.5 m from the front lot line (15 m if the lot is over 2,000 m²), 1.5 m from rear and interior side lines, 3.5 m from the exterior side line, and 1.2 m from the house. They may be at most 3.75 m high and one storey.
- Total accessory building coverage is 10% on lots under 1,330 m², 7% on lots of 1,330 to 1,999 m², and 5% on lots of 2,000 m² and over. Other zones have their own rules in the zone schedule.
- The Zoning Bylaw applies even to buildings that need no permit.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Oak Bay · Esquimalt · Victoria · View Royal · Central Saanich · Colwood
Deck and shed permit thresholds in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Permit Q&A, District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Residential Permits, District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Deck checklist (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Residential Building Permit - New checklist (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Zoning - Frequently Asked Questions | District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf (read 2026-11-06)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.